Arjun Bijlani on fatherhood: 'I want Ayaan to be a good human being'
Synopsis
Arjun Bijlani says fatherhood has given him a second childhood through Ayaan — but his real message is simpler: actions speak louder than parenting lectures. Ahead of Children's Day, the Naagin star lays out exactly what he wants his son to become, and why leading by example is the only rule that counts.
Key Takeaways
Arjun Bijlani shared his parenting philosophy ahead of Children's Day on 14 November .
He emphasises kindness, respect and empathy as the three core values he wants to instil in son Ayaan .
Bijlani believes children learn more from a parent’s actions than from their words.
He recalled his own love of outdoor play and said fatherhood lets him ‘relive those childhood moments’ through Ayaan.
Arjun Bijlani and Neha Swami married on 20 May 2013 ; Ayaan is their only child.
Actor Arjun Bijlani, best known for his role in Naagin, has spoken candidly about fatherhood and the core values he hopes to pass on to his son, Ayaan Bijlani, ahead of Children's Day on 14 November.
Leading by Example
Bijlani believes that effective parenting goes well beyond correcting children — it demands that parents model the behaviour they wish to see. “I think kindness, respect and empathy are extremely important. As a father to Ayaan, I feel it’s my responsibility to lead by example. Children observe everything we do, so they learn more from our actions than our words,” the actor said.
He added that his primary aspiration for Ayaan is straightforward: “I want Ayaan to grow up being confident, independent, respectful towards everyone and, most importantly, a good human being.”
Revisiting Childhood Through His Son
Reflecting on his own formative years, Bijlani admitted he occasionally misses the simplicity of childhood. “I loved playing outdoors with friends, spending hours doing absolutely nothing and not having to worry about time! I do miss those carefree days sometimes,” he said.
Fatherhood, however, has offered him an unexpected second chance. “Having Ayaan in my life gives me an opportunity to relive some of those childhood moments. Whether it’s playing with him, enjoying his little stories or seeing his excitement about school activities like Children’s Day, I get to experience that magic all over again,” he shared.
Children's Day Memories and New Traditions
With Children’s Day around the corner, Bijlani drew a warm parallel between his own school memories and what his son now experiences. “Children’s Day was always exciting because it was one day when school felt more like a celebration than studies! I remember the fun, performances, games and spending time with friends,” he recalled.
He noted that the tradition continues unchanged through Ayaan’s generation. “He looks forward to Children’s Day celebrations at school, and seeing his excitement makes me nostalgic about my own childhood. It’s lovely to see how some traditions never change!”
About the Family
Arjun Bijlani married Neha Swami on 20 May 2013. The couple are parents to Ayaan Bijlani. Bijlani has remained one of Hindi television’s prominent faces across two decades, with a substantial following that makes his parenting reflections particularly resonant ahead of the national holiday for children.
Point of View
And Bijlani’s remarks are no exception — but the timing, pegged to Children’s Day, reflects a savvy media rhythm that keeps television stars relevant between projects. What is worth noting is his consistent emphasis on modelling over instruction, which aligns with well-established child-development research even if it goes unacknowledged. The more interesting question — how a high-travel, high-visibility career squares with ‘leading by example’ at home — is one he sidesteps, as most celebrity parents do.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What values does Arjun Bijlani want to teach his son Ayaan?
Arjun Bijlani says he wants to instil kindness, respect and empathy in his son Ayaan, and believes that leading by example matters more than verbal instruction. His goal is for Ayaan to grow up confident, independent and, above all, a good human being.
Who is Arjun Bijlani's son Ayaan?
Ayaan Bijlani is the son of actor Arjun Bijlani and his wife Neha Swami, whom Bijlani married on 20 May 2013. Ayaan is the couple's only child.
What did Arjun Bijlani say about Children's Day?
Bijlani recalled that Children's Day at school felt more like a celebration than a study day, with performances and games. He said seeing Ayaan's excitement about Children's Day celebrations now makes him nostalgic, adding that ‘some traditions never change.’
How does Arjun Bijlani describe his own childhood?
He described his childhood as carefree, centred on playing outdoors with friends and spending time without worrying about schedules. He said he sometimes misses those days, but that fatherhood gives him a chance to relive them through Ayaan.
What is Arjun Bijlani known for?
Arjun Bijlani is a prominent Hindi television actor best known for his lead role in the supernatural drama Naagin. He has been a recognisable face on Indian television for over two decades.
